Verona Environmental Commission

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Welcome to the Verona Environmental Commission (VEC) website! Protecting the health of our environment and our residents is the VEC's main objective. We invite you to move towards a sustainable future. This goes far beyond the 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and involves making conscious decisions about how one’s actions impact our community.

When a group of residents, students or teachers get together and embrace organic gardening, composting, and learning about other environmental issues, we are much closer working together as a group, to achieve positive changes.

Going "Green" together is easy. Join us in protecting Verona's environment for the health and well being of all!

Upcoming 2012 VEC Public Meeting: Tuesday, February 21st, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Verona Community Center (880 Bloomfield Ave., Verona, NJ 07044). Our regular public meetings are held every month except on July and August.

Green News

Free Recycling Bins

Dozens of Verona residents picked up their free township recycling bin on January 14th at the Recycling Center in Verona. If you missed it and need a bin please contact us by e-mail at veronaenvironmental@gmail.com

Remember to include your name, address and phone number and we'll let you know the details of the upcoming distribution day. And please don't forget to bring to the Recycling Center (10 Commerce Ct.) items that are not picked up at the curb, such as corrugated cardboard boxes. Thank you!

Fair in the Square

Verona's 15th Annual Fair in the Square was a success with delightful weather and abundant public attendance. The VEC would like to thank hundreds of visitors for stopping at our table to play eco-games or chat about the environment. We played the game "How Long it Takes to Decompose" and "Identify the Household Hazardous Waste Items". Many residents signed up to receive free recycling bins. We also offered "Eco-Friendly Holiday Ideas" and displayed the list of our recent achievements. Pictured is commission member Tony Saltalamacchia playing our games with a group of people.

Idle-Free Verona Exhibits

You are all invited to visit the VEC "Idle Free Verona" poster exhibit at the Library of the Essex County Environmental Center.The Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. The Center is located at 621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068 - Tel (973) 228-8776.

Maria Robinson (Office Administrator) and Tara Casella (Director) are pictured here by the VEC's display.

Also, during the last two weeks of October all students entries were exhibited at the children department of the Verona Public Library. Pictured here is Cheryl Ashley, Children's Librarian, with a group of kids. Thank you to Verona Public Library for supporting this program!

A dozen of Bloomfield Avenue businesses in Verona displayed on their store windows the students' posters. For the first two weeks of October messages aimed to improve our air quality decorated the stores. Thank you AFG Framing, King's, Cleaners in that Mall, Carnevale's Car Service, Gemmel's Cleaners, Trend, JT Barber Shop, Verona Aluminum, Terry’s, C&J Trophies and Towne Scoop! You can see more pictures HERE.

If you are a store owner interested on displaying the children artwork please contact us.

In 2010 and 2009 all public elementary schools in Verona participated in the contest Idle Free Verona as well. More than 100 posters were exhibited at the schools, Verona's Public Library and Essex County Environmental Center. Parents and teachers, thank you for your support as well! READ MORE

Which trees are Township Trees?

All those trees planted in the curb strips along most streets are Township Trees. Also, in a few specific locations just inside the sidewalks, right of way, and in public recreation areas. Verona has been a Tree City for 26 consecutive years.

Request for Township planting, pruning and removal should be made by calling Public Works at 973-857-4804. To learn more about The Verona Shade Tree Commission, our Township Trees and how to help them please READ HERE. Residents are encouraged to contact the police at 911 to report any emergency and (973) 239-5000 regarding any police related matter. Trees or power lines that have come down should be reported.

School Eco-Fair

F. N. Brown School held for third time their Annual Eco-Fair on May 19th, 2011. Close to 250 students participated creating objects with recycled materials. All students from first through fourth grade played the VEC's educational game “How Long it Takes to Decompose”.

Pictured, "Principal Lanzo" Third Grade student's creation at the Eco-Fair. See pictures of this wonderful exhibit and READ MORE here.

Verona celebrated Earth Day

The VEC celebrated Earth Day at the Verona Recycling Center on April 30th. Residents brought their recyclable items and filled two large dumpsters with cardboard. Two hundreds green and more than one hundred and fifty blue recycling containers were distributed. The VEC would like to thank Mike Inglesino from the Recycling Center for helping all day during the event. Posters teaching how to reuse and recycle plastic shopping bags were displayed, encouraging to use reusable cloth bags instead. Thank you all for such a wonderful celebration!

2011 NJ Fertilizer Law

The New Jersey Fertilizer Law, A2290, establishes statewide fertilizer standards and requires professional fertilizer applicators to undergo training and become certified. It prohibits fertilizer application during or just before heavy rainfall and limits the time that fertilizer can be used. Fertilizer may not be applied from November 15th to March 1st for consumers, and December 1st to March 1st for professionals.

It also restricts the amount of nitrogen used and fertilizer content. Fines for noncompliance are $500 for the 1st offense and up to $1000 for the 2nd and each subsequent offense for professional applicators.

The Fertilizer Law is really about water quality. It still allows you to feed your lawn, but in a way that avoids adverse impact on NJ waters.

Here you can read information for homeowners about this law. READ MORE

New E-waste Regulation

Effective 01-01-2011 the NJ Electronic Waste Management Act, requires TV’s, cellphones, computers, monitors and other items known as e-waste to be recycled. Therefore residents can no longer put electronics on the curb for pick up with regular solid waste. Two years ago the Verona Environmental Commission worked with the Township and successfully started e-waste collection at the Verona Recycling Center.

E-waste contains mercury, cadmium and other toxins. Cathode Ray Tubes or CRT’s contain large amounts of lead that is used to shield consumers from radiation. Again we remind residents to keep these items out of the solid waste stream by bringing them to the Recycling Center.

Refrigerator Recycling Rebates

This program provides a $50 reward and free pick up of old refrigerators and freezers for New Jersey residents. These old units are not only wasting energy, but money as well -up to $150 a year. NJCEP (in partnership with JACO Environmental) safely recycles 95% of each unit. These units aren't going into landfills or back on the secondary market, but are being turned into items we use everyday, such as cell phones and laptops. To schedule a free pick up call 1-877-270-3520. For more Rebates and Promotions click here.

The Story of Electronics

Video released Tuesday, November 9, it explores the high-tech revolution's collateral damage—25 million tons of e-waste and counting, poisoned workers and a public left holding the bill.

Green Friendly Site

Tip of the Month

Eco-Friendly Valentine's Day!

On February 14th have an eco-friendly Valentine's Day by making or choosing useful, thoughtful, and sustainable gifts. Here are some green ideas:

Each year some one billion valentines are sent globally. Choose cards made from recycled or tree-free paper or send lovely e-cards instead!
Children always enjoy creating home-made valentines. Encourage them to make collages with recycled materials such as old homework paper and magazines.
Be sure your gift will get used. Get consumable gifts such as organic and fair-trade chocolate, candy, tea, coffee, wine, dried fruits or nuts.
Make the gift yourself, such as organic cupcakes or offer your time to babysit, shovel snow or clean the house for your wife. Get creative!
Choose natural beeswax and soy candles to avoid indoor pollutants released by conventional petroleum-based candles.
Give organic and/or locally grown flowers or buy a live plant. It will live longer than a dozen roses!
Arrange dinner at a local restaurant or make dinner yourself using locally grown ingredients.
Help your love ones go green with gifts that save resources, such as a rain barrel, a Smart Strip power strip or a low-flow shower head.
Purchase PVC-free items. Children are at risk from even small exposures to it. READ MORE
Think about your packaging. Make a heart-shaped label and tape it to your gift instead of wrapping it or use reusable wrapping, such us a cloth bag.

VEC Programs:

Pesticide Awareness Campaign

Despite thousands of letters of support, 19 senate co-sponsors and 27 assembly co-sponsors, the NJ Legislature failed to pass a bill to protect kids from toxic chemicals where they play. READ MORE

The VEC invites you to learn more about the health risks of conventional lawn chemicals by reading our new presentation Why Should Verona Avoid Pesticides? Verona is a pioneer on Integrated Pest Managment (IPM). This technique uses a wide variety of practices to reduce pests without toxic pesticides. Our town passed an IPM resolution 15 years ago. Verona schools adhere to IPM practices. Thirty-five towns in NJ have created Pesticide Free Zones in their communities.The Millburn Environmental Commission recently held screenings of the new award-winning documentary A Chemical Reaction. We encourage you to keep our community safe by maintaining your lawn with natural or organic products. READ MORE

Poster Contest Winners

Following two incidents in which four pedestrians (including two preschoolers) were killed and 17 struck by unattended idling vehicles in New York in 2009, idling fines raised and the Hayley and Diego’s law was created. Idling is considered a criminal offense. Idling Is Also Illegal in New Jersey. Idling for more than 3 minutes is against the law for all gasoline and diesel non-emergency vehicles, when not in motion. Idling fines begin at $250 -New Jersey State Law.

Please reduce your warm-up idling time to 30 seconds and turn your engine off if parked for more than 10 seconds. An idling vehicle emits 20 times more pollution than one traveling at 30 miles per hour. Vehicle exhaust causes allergies, cancer, asthma and bronchitis. Up to 25% of NJ school-aged children are asthmatic. So please "Turn The Key-Be Idle Free!"

The VEC held its Annual Poster Contest on Oct. 5. Verona Public Elementary School Students submitted 130 posters with compelling messages such as: "Don't Drive Your Car-You Can Walk That Far!", "Keep Our World Magical-Stop Idling", "Change The Future-Walk To School" and "Save The World, Because You Can't Buy A New One". The Award Ceremony of the contest took place in November at the Town Hall. Winners received $50 and a certificate signed by the mayor. Congratulations! See the 2011 Submissions HERE

Let’s encourage kids to walk to school and support them by improving air quality and safe driving. Please watch our new video presentation in YouTube and spread the word!

Nominate Verona's 2011 Treasured Tree

Do you have one of Verona's great trees in your yard? The VEC is accepting nominations for Verona's 2012 Treasured Trees. This program recognizes beautiful, mature trees and the homeowners who care for them. If you would like to nominate a tree please e-mail us. Homeowners whose trees are designated as Treasured Trees receive a tree plaque from the Commission.

Pictured here is our first 2011 Treasured Tree, a majestic Red Oak located at 21 Anne Street in Verona. New Jersey designated the red oak as the official state tree in 1950. Also a magnificent Bur Oak (a fire-resistant tree) received Treasured Tree status this year. And the third 2011 Treasured Tree is a wonderful American Sweetgum located at 26 Montrose Ave.

You can take our "Virtual Tree Tour" to see them all HERE!

Recycling Campaign: the VEC visited 5 local schools

To help Verona save money and go "Green" please watch our presentation about Verona's Recycling Programs here. And reduce, reuse and recycle as much as you can. The content and pictures were generated locally by VEC members targeting third and fourth grade students, as requested by Frank Albano, Laning Avenue School Principal.

After receiving the approval of Charles Sampson, former Superintendent of Verona Public Schools, the VEC presented this program at the following schools: Forest Ave., Laning Ave. (pictured here), F.N.Brown, Brookdale Ave. and Our Lady of the Lake.

The Verona Recycling Center located at 10 Commerce Ct. is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Refer to the 2011 Booklets for collection days and procedures: North Side and South Side . Recycling questions, call 973-857-4804. For more information contact us. READ MORE HERE

Verona Earth Day Event

Each year Verona residents celebrated Earth Day at the Verona Recycling Center located on 10 Commerce Ct.

Last year more than 200 people brought their recyclable items, signed the VEC’s pledge showing their recycling commitment and got their free township recycling bins. Thank you everyone for making this 40th Anniversary of Earth Day a success!

To see more pictures of the event please visit our new page Verona Earth Day

VEC Awards:

2010 Mayor’s Charity Affair

The VEC would like to thank Mayor Teena Schwartz and the 2010 Mayor’s Charity Affair Committee for recognizing our Community Service. Congratulations to all 2010 honorees and to all former VEC members without whom this recognition could not be possible. Pictured from left, VEC current Chairman Gerard Shimonaski and VEC first Chairman Marc Kaplan.

The 17th Annual Mayor’s Charity Affair took place on May 23rd at Mayfair Farms in West Orange. The purpose of the event was to raise funds that will be donated to Verona organizations and programs that reach all residents. READ MORE

2009 ANJEC Award for the VEC

The Verona Environmental Commission received an Environmental Achievement Award at ANJEC’s 2009 Environmental Congress held at Cook Campus Center, Rutgers University in New Brunswick on October 17th. The award recognizes the Commission's successful efforts in establishing paper recycling in all of Verona's schools. READ MORE

2010 Steps to Go Green

The VEC participated in "Steps to Go Green", a fair sponsored by the Caldwell, West Caldwell and Roseland Environmental Commissions. The event took place on October 17 at the Caldwell College Cafeteria. Admission was free. The commission presented the program "Idle Free Verona" and played the game "How long it takes to decompose" with the visitors. We would like to tank Ann Marchioni, Caldwell Environmental Commission's Chairperson, for inviting us. Pictured from left, VEC members Tony Saltalamacchia, Tara Bratek, James Loudon, Virginia Citrano and Gloria Machnowski.